Minor league teams and big leagues generally do not publicly divulge players’ salaries, but their rules pertaining to minimum wage and salary caps are made public. How much do these guys earn? Let’s have a look.
In professional hockey, the top-level minor league in North America (unofficially called “AAA level”) is the American Hockey League (AHL). Some of you may know that the Toronto Maple Leafs rookies, the Marlies and two more Canadian AHL teams (the Bulldogs and the Manitoba Moose) have homes in Hamilton and Winnipeg.
Several players in this league are on two-way contracts, which mean that their salary depends on whether they play in the NHL or the AHL. For players who sign such contracts, whose terms are often publicly disclosed by the NHL parent club, their AHL salary is usually between $50,000 and $75,000.
For those who are on an AHL-only contract, the league’s minimum salary for the 2006-07 season was $44,000 ($35,000 US), and $27,000 US for players on loan from lesser leagues, in addition to the per diem allowances to cover certain expenses while on the road.
The average salary in the league is said to be around $50,000 to $55,000; not bad compared to any other job, but still a far cry from what a typical NHL star earns.

It is obvious Simon’s hit flattened his own team and elevated their bitterest rival. Rangers fans, who were outraged by Simon’s hit last month, have to be overjoyed with it today. While Hollweg hardly missed a shift, the Islanders lost more than just a forward that night. They also lost a spark that they haven’t been able to get back.
Poetic justice? A fair punishment for a play that was uncalled for? Or simply the final straw in a season that, it now seems clear, was a lot more tenuous than it had appeared to that point?

I’m driving down to Philadelphia tonight (Wednesday) in the hopes of seeing Martin Brodeur break Bernie Parent’s record for wins in a season.
More important - to me and Marty - is the fact that I’m looking forward to a Devils’ victory. That would put them over the top in terms of clinching first place and the home ice advantage that goes with it.
Even more important than that, I’m hoping that the news on Brian Gionta is more encouraging than it appeared on Tuesday night when he was spirited away from Continental Airlines Arena in an ambulance.
The Patrik Elias shot which Gionta took on the foot could devastate the Devils’ postseason, assuming the wound is as serious as it first appeared.

Mr. Trottier, a four-time Stanley Cup winner, said the group’s message is to instill confidence in children from smaller rural communities who may struggle to complete high school.
“We all had challenges, I’m non-status, I grew up in a small community,” said Mr. Trottier. “We just want to let them know that they can do it. It’s not easy, it’s hard work, but the payout at the end is worth it. If you only play one game, one shift, score one goal the memories and the dreams remain.”
But the group’s message isn’t just about hockey, they want to encourage everyone to follow their dreams whatever they may be.
“Whether you’re a child or an adult, whether it’s sports or painting, whether it’s mechanics, find your skill, your passion and work towards is,” said Mr. Troittier.
With donated orange rubber bracelets from the New York Islanders, the men had each child put on the bracelet and promise to complete high school.

For one of the rare times in his career, Sergei Fedorov won’t be participating in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The World Championships are in Moscow, offering Fedorov the rare chance to represent his homeland on home ice.
At 37, there aren’t going to be many more chances to play for Russia in Russia and Fedorov admits, it’s an intriguing scenario.
“It’s not something I’ve really discussed with the media, but it’s a possibility,” Fedorov said before his Columbus Blue Jackets lost 3-0 to the Detroit Red Wings Tuesday at Joe Louis Arena.
A romantic possibility to be sure, but Fedorov is hedging.
Thinking with his heart has caused Fedorov nothing but heartache in the past.

...rub a little salt. Now, as you know, I’m not one to take enjoyment from another fan base’s pain. It doesn’t excite me to consider the fourteen remaining hockey fans in Denver who are trying to temper hope with reality. Five points back with 3 games remaining against Bubba, AlanaH’s Nucks and Calgary. And if they squeek in? A matchup with certain despair. And Bubba? Oh dear.

What could be more exciting than a winner-take-all showdown between the Canadiens and the archrival Toronto Maple Leafs for one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference?
While the Canadiens play tomorrow night against the Rangers in New York and the Leafs visit the Islanders, it appears that Saturday night’s game in Toronto will decide one of the final spots.
“It will be the most important game a lot of the players on this team have ever played,” said Koivu, who showed that he wasn’t brooding over being benched in the latter stages of Saturday’s 4-3 win over Buffalo.
“If you think of the rivalry between us and the Leafs with the game on national TV, you can’t ask for anything more.”

Word came Tuesday that veteran center Todd Marchant, who had played the past three games after missing 17 because of an abdominal strain, will be out indefinitely because of what has been diagnosed as a torn groin muscle.
“It’s not great news,” Coach Randy Carlyle said.
Marchant, 33, sat out six games in late December and early January because of what the club termed a strained groin. Though all three injuries have been in the same area, they are “distinctly different,” Marchant said.
“I knew on Sunday that something just wasn’t right,” Marchant said. “I don’t know whether this could have been happening over years. I mean, let’s face it, 14 years and 900 games, it’s going to take its toll.”
Marchant planned to meet with team doctors today to discuss treatment options, which might include season-ending surgery.

I think it’s safe to say Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg won’t play again before the regular season ends.
Mike Babcock said after Tuesday’s game that Zetterberg would not play Thursday at Chicago, leaving only Saturday’s game against Chicago remaining before the regular season ends.

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